Aviation
EUHR Ashton Promotes Comprehensive Counterpiracy Approach Aboard La Fayette
On 26 August, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Commission Vice President, Catherine Ashton visited the French EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR) warship La Fayette during her visit to Kenya and Somalia. She was welcomed on board by the Com
UK: HMS Bulwark to Serve as Security Hub at Paralympics
After her involvement in the London 2012 Olympics, the crew of HMS Bulwark is preparing to serve as the hub for the security effort surrounding the Paralympic sailing events. The assault ship will serve as the command and control centre for maritime security operations around Portland for the durati
RSS Formidable Makes Port Call at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan
The Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class frigate, RSS Formidable, is making a port call at the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Yokosuka Naval Base from 22 to 27 Aug 2012. The port call saw an exchange of ship visits between the personnel of the two navies. Prior to the
USS John C. Stennis to Depart for 8-Month Deployment
The flagship of the John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), will depart Monday, Aug. 27, to begin an eight-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke here Wednesday with the cre
USS Cape St. George Concludes Journey
The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 Detachment 2 returned to Naval Base San Diego (NBSD), Aug. 22 after circumnavigating the globe. Cape’s crew completed a nine-month deployment in support of the U.S. 5th,
USS Carr Conducts Last Underway RAS
USS Carr (FFG 52) conducted what is scheduled to be the ship’s last underway replenishment, Aug. 20 before decommissioning in March 2013. Carr is currently deployed to U.S. Fourth Fleet (C4F) area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo. Carr’s Operations Officer, Lt. Brenda Beznoska, gui
Indian Ocean: HMS Sutherland to Banish Pirates
Royal Marines aboard HMS Sutherland have been honing their pirate take-down skills by ‘rapid roping’ from the frigate’s helicopter in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Despite punishing temperatures– at least mid-30s Celsius by day – the Fighting Clan continues the struggle against international terro
USS Winston S. Churchill Aids Panamanian-Flagged Bulk Carrier M/V Belde
Guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) rendered medical assistance to Panamanian-flagged, bulk carrier M/V Belde, Aug. 20, approximately 110 miles north of Socotra Island, Oman. At approximately 1:10 p.m. local time, Winston S. Churchill responded to a distress call following a c
UK: MoD Unveils Latest Future Warship Design
The latest design of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS), the next generation of warships, has been unveiled. The Ministry of Defence has released images showing the basic specification of the T26 GCS, which is a significant milestone in the development of this programme. The creat
Russia: Serbank Approves Two USD 509.8 Million Loans for Severnaya Verf Shipyard
State-owned Sberbank has approved two $ 509.8 Mln loans for the Severnaya Verf shipyard, United Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary, to be used in the construction of Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates. Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates also known as Project 22350 are designed by Northern Design Construc
Hull of First of RAN’s New Amphibious Ships Departs Spain
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the departure of the hull of the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) new amphibious ships from Ferrol in northern Spain. Mr Clare said the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) 01 hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heav
US Navy Helicopters Team with CALFIRE to Fight Wildfires in Eastern San Diego County
Navy helicopters teamed with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection units Aug. 15 to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires in eastern San Diego County. At CALFIRE’s request for immediate response support, the Navy is providing three firefighting helicopters equipped wi
USS Carr Retrieves 1,250 Pounds of Cocaine
Norfolk-based frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) retrieved 1,250 pounds of cocaine while being resupplied by an air drop at sea during Operation Martillo, Aug. 15. A long range P-3 patrol aircraft from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) decreased altitude, passed close to the ship and dropped a single
UK: Drug and Pirate-Busting Merlin Helicopter of HMS Westminster Returns Home
The drug and pirate-busting Merlin helicopter of HMS Westminster is safely back home in Culdrose after seven months making a ‘tangible’ difference in the Indian Ocean. 02 Flight – callsign Red Bull – played a key role in three pirate busts and one drug smuggling take-down, four of the most eventful